Soul

"Foolish Undead, you have no idea what kind of being you are facing. Deathwing is the truth of this world."

"The truth of this world should be defined by the world itself, not by any one person."

If the anomaly in the Elemental Altar was caused by the Windbinder, then the dark energy erupting here could only have originated from Nathanos. Alexstrasza stared in astonishment at the Undead blocking his path. The shadow of death spread like a plague beneath his feet, then suddenly erupted, instantly obliterating the elemental creatures controlled by the Windbinder.

"Can you still transform?" Nathanos seized the opportunity to turn back and ask the Queen of Dragons. His reminder sent a chill down Alexstrasza's spine.

The Life-Binder stretched out her arms and began to transform. More precisely, she was attempting to transform. As her arms extended, her body did not react at all; not even a single scale appeared.

"This... I can't change it, I can't change it anymore..."

"The elements here have been distorted." Nathanos stared intently at Hagra, inwardly marveling that Deathwing. Unlike typical Shaman who invoked the elements, this female Orcs manipulated and enslaved them. She could be considered... a Dark Shaman.

Hagra laughed and said to the two trapped people, "Fools, my elements have shielded the life energy here. Without your dragon form, you are as fragile as a reptile."

"Life will surely blossom." Alexstrasza raised her hands, chanting a peaceful incantation, and at her feet, vibrant flowers bloomed. The Queen of Dragons struggled to break through the Windbinder's barrier. Their strength was evenly matched; some flowers survived, while others withered quickly. This was the strange point. No matter how powerful Hagra was, she could not possibly contend with the Life-Binder. Unless, she received Deathwing's help.

"It's too late!" The Windbinder raised his two double-edged axes and slammed them into the ground. In response, more than a dozen earth elementals appeared, but they weren't there to retaliate against Hagra.

"You're not the only one who can summon things." Nathanos unleashed his power again to repel the approaching enemies, and then summoned his ever-present, hidden servants at lightning speed.

Hagra heard the sound of flapping wings. At first, she thought it was Alexstrasza's kind, but when she looked up, she saw several ethereal figures approaching.

"Valkyr!" The Windbinder exclaimed in surprise, hastily ordering the elementals to attack. "It seems sometimes I have to do it myself!"

"If your master could understand this principle, you wouldn't have to die today."

Sulfuras clashed with the battle axe imbued with elemental power, and in that instant, Nathanos felt a pressure emanating from the depths of his soul. He stared into Hagra's eyes, realizing with a start that he had spoken the wrong thing.

Deathwing is not absent from this place.

In the Windbinder's pupils appeared a strangely shaped human male. This man had a pincer-like metal clamped to his bluish-gray jaw, serrated dragon horn-like armor plates extending from his shoulders, and cracks on his chest containing molten lava. No creature in Azeroth possessed these physical characteristics. If anyone did, it could only be Deathwing in his mortal form.

"So, this insect is your spokesperson?"

Upon hearing this, the female Orcs who could bind elements revealed a ferocious expression, her eyes turning as red as lava.

"Your usual arrogance always manages to surprise me," Hagra spoke, though the voice belonged to the Black Dragon Aspect. Alexstrasza gasped, her chanting interrupted, her mind trembling at Deathwing laughter. "I've specifically looked into you, and discovered you have quite a few grudges against my people, mortal. Grim Batol, Onyxia, and Twilight Highlands. I truly underestimated you mortals."

"You're not the first fool to underestimate mortals, but you'll meet the same end as those who tried to destroy the world," Nathanos retorted. He felt the connection between the Elemental Altar and life was weaker than ever before, and he could sense Alexstrasza struggling painfully behind him.

"This world was destroyed before that." Hagra's power instantly increased by at least five times, and the Witherer gradually began to be suppressed. If the stalemate continued, he would surely die.

"Daschira, Alsurra." Agatha crushed the core of an earth elemental, seeing Nathanos struggling in a fierce battle, and the power of Deathwing also intimidating the Valkyrie.

The two Valkyr quickly came to Agatha's side; they were of one mind and almost knew each other's plans.

"This will ruin us," Daschira murmured.

Alsurra shook his head. "We are bound to him. If he falls, we will also perish."

"The oath we made with Nathanos cannot be broken."

"Then let's accept it," they said at the same time.

Deathwing, who controlled Hagra, also noticed them.

A mournful and poignant incantation resounded, and three Valkyr circled above Nathanos and Hagra.

"What?" Nathanos, struggling to stay upright in Sulfuras, glanced upwards. The Valkyr had acted without his orders; what were they planning?

Almost simultaneously, a beam of white light descended from the center of the three Valkyr, enveloping Nathanos and Hagra. Agatha flew in first, her form vanishing instantly, followed by Dash'ir, and finally Ara'thul. The previously empty light was immediately filled with a mysterious power. Nathanos didn't know what this power was, but he was surprised to see Deathwing also looking puzzled.

As they both began to contemplate what would happen next, a soul-shaking wave emanated from the white light. Nathanos and Hagra were sent flying in opposite directions. His ears rang and his the Witherer couldn't feel his body, his consciousness swiftly traversing land after land. When he finally opened his eyes, he found himself in a tunnel of strange colors, moving through it at an absurd speed. A multitude of sensations surged through him—coldness, weakness, sorrow—all simultaneously appearing in ways he couldn't comprehend.

Inside the tunnel, the Witherer seemed to see countless Azeroth and countless full moons, all gathering around him until the tunnel ended.

At the end, there was only darkness...

Nathanos awoke lying on the ground, his mind and body filled with nothing but pain.